Southeast Asia Thailand

Chiangrai Stun Buriram To Secure Cup Double

Chiangrai United sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over league Champions Buriram United on Saturday to lift their second domestic cup for the season and secure qualification to the AFC Champions League.

The side lined up rather conservatively, expecting to be playing a receptive counter-attacking game against their in-form opponents. Buriram, meanwhile, fielded a host attack-minded players with the intention of taking the game to their opposition.

However, the shortcomings of their aggressive game-plan appeared almost immediately, when William Henrique was able to steal past the Buriram defence, setting up countryman Rosimar “Bill” Amancio with a deft flick. Chiangrai’s burly number 9 made no mistake, slotting the ball past Siwarak Tudsungnoen to give his side an early lead.

The league champions continued on in spite of the early setback, winning a penalty in the 13th minute when former Brazilian international Osvaldo was bought down in the area. However, Chiangrai goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom was able to deny Osvaldo’s countryman, and Buriram’s captain for the day, Diogo Luis Santo.

Buriram finally had their equaliser when Osvaldo slinked his way through five Chiangrai United defenders, starting his run down the right flank and managing to find the goal with a spectacular low, powerful shot that nestled in the far corner.

The Thunder Castle’s dominance began to show, but their boisterousness in looking for a goal to take the lead left space aplenty for Chiangrai’s counter-attacking masterclass. The Beetles had a penalty of their own when William Henrique was brought down in the box by Andres Tunez, giving Bill a chance to put Chiangrai ahead once again, which he duly tucked away.

Once again behind, the seven time Thai League champions continued to dominate proceedings in search of an equaliser. They were finally gifted their chance when Thai international Sasalak Haiprakhon, one of the side’s breakout stars this season, was bought down by left-back Suriya Singmui. After a conslutation with the Video Assistant Referee, the contact was adjudged to have been made inside the box, giving Diogo the chance to redeem himself from 12 yards. This time, the Brazilian made no mistake, putting his side level for the second time.

Buriram continued to pile the pressure on, but Chiangrai struck against the run of play to put themselves ahead once again. The  scoreline was now 3-2 in favour of the Northern side, as Bill wheeled away in celebration after completing his hat-trick. The resilience of Beetles defensive line and defensive lapses so atypical of a Bozidar Bandovic side had turned this game into a truly memorable encounter, and with just under 20 minutes remaining, the game still hung in the balance.

The tide shifted once again away from the resilient underdogs as Chaiyawat Buran was sent off for a horrific two-footed challenge on Buriram captain Suchao Nuchnum, leaving Chairman Miti Tiyapairat speechless on the sidelines….

Or so we thought, until a consultation with VAR overturned the decision, restoring parity in numbers and giving Buriram yet another mountain to climb.

Instead, it was the League Champions who were reduced to ten men when Sasalak received a second yellow card, eliciting anger and frustration from the Buriram dugout. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the side continued to press for the winning goal deep into stoppage time, but ultimately their best efforts proved to be insufficient as Chiangrai held out for a memorable FA Cup victory.